Rising Above in a Year Like No Other

Moms have certainly gotten a taste of what you do, but let's face it, you get to experience some part of being a mom every day, whether you have your own children or not. You nurture and encourage all of your students. Every year the Cary Chamber of Commerce sponsors and award for a teacher at each school in Cary. It is called Honor a Teacher. This year, I opened it up to all of our parents and we received more nominations then we ever have. There are so sincere and heartfelt. We had to narrow it down to the 5 teachers who had the most nominations and the finalist are ... Kathy Harrington Cindy Mangus Christianne Blasko Kelsey Burleson Meghan Patterson We are so proud of all of these ladies. I feel like it would be a waste if all of you did not get to see the wonderful things that parents said about you. Friday afternoon, I was able to pull the raw data and I will put them in your boxes for you to enjoy.  Here are some highlights: "Mrs. Arbour has really been a great support d...

 As we continue our focus on PLTS Collaborative Teams Effective PLCs utilize collaborative teams. This requires groups of teachers and administrators working together in an environment where all feel comfortable talking openly. In order for this to work, all must feel respected and have no fear of chastisement or negative consequences. Additionally, PLCs must utilize shared and collective leadership, where both teachers and administrators share leadership roles during the meetings. Teachers may be more willing to openly discuss concerns and doubts if they have the opportunity to play the role of leader. I know that online learning has its limits and we are all at the end of our ropes- Mostly the students! Positive pep talks are the order of the day. We have done incredible things this year! We carried on with education during a global pandemic. You did it. Parents did it. Kids did it! Let's be proud of that and give it our best to make it through the rest of the year. Do something ...

  Focus on PLTs: As we are wrapping up this year, we are also focusing on next steps for next year. As I always say it is worth far more to hone the skills we already have than to add more and different. We have been working now for some time on the work of an effective PLT. Our plan is to continue to build on that. One component of a successful PLT (per Richard Dufour) is a Focus on Students: The focus of the PLC (T) must be on the students, particularly in regards to improving their learning and experiences. This means that discussions should revolve around lesson plans, assessments, activities, and other topics that directly affect the students. One example of implementing this focus is sharing best practices. Teachers are encouraged to share activities or lessons that they have found to be successful. The goal is for other teachers to also apply those techniques to their own classrooms in order to improve student learning. Hug a Special Ed Teacher (at least virtually)! This is ...

 It has been easy this year to get bogged down in the constant changes and the stress of it all, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. With most of us vaccinated, and more students returning to school we have reason to celebrate and we have reason to be proud! Please remember that although you no longer have to fill in the screening on Wake Connect, you should be prescreening yourselves before you come in to school. Don't be a hero! Even if you are vaccinated, there are other illnesses and nobody wants to be sick and covered in pollen! Just as a reminder (I also put this in the parent email). You are not allowed onto WCPSS property if you are: Diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 10 days Exposed to COVID-19 within the past 14 days and not fully vaccinated Instructed to quarantine Experiencing any of the following symptoms: Sick or experiencing symptoms of illness 100.4° fever or higher Sore throat New cough New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing New loss...

  May Spring Break give you a spring in your step! When we get back there will be a very short time left until this school year ends. I know many of us will be happy to see that happen. But you have accomplished so much this year. To send us out on a high note, let's acknowledge the thing you are proudest of accomplishing this year, and then let's acknowledge something you appreciate about a colleague this year! I know I ask for comments a lot, but let's break the internet with these comments!! We love to try to catch those Leprechauns, but they sure do make a mess!    Loving the Learning Targets! Kids and Stem, what a winning combination! Thank you again to our amazing PTA and all of the amazing teachers and staff who made last night possible!! It was awesome!! A sad farewell Today is Ms. Caruso's last day with us.😞 We thank her for the amazing job she has done teaching while Ms. Cronin has been out enjoying her beautiful new baby! I hope our paths cross again! Rememb...

  As the late great Johnny Nash song says Even though it feels like change is the only constant this year, remember that we are almost there. In less than a month we will have Spring Break and then we will just have our sprint to the end of the school year!  Thank you once again to Lissy and Fran for their work to help us understand and use our Istation data. As we noticed the only skill that goes across all grade levels is vocabulary. As you know, vocabulary is a very important part of making our students better readers and writers. I know that we went from using a program- Wordly Wise as a school, to either using the activities in ALL block in EL or coming up with our own ways of teaching vocabulary. There are many high yield strategies that can be incorporated into your day to increase student vocabulary.  I came across a couple of basic ideas of things that can be done to increase vocabulary.  Have students preview something they are about to read or learn about ...